Student Support
The Student Support and Wellbeing Team provides a confidential, advice and guidance to all students on a range of issues, which you can find more about below.
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We support students with a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to:
- Specific learning differences (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD)
- Mental health difficulties (such as depression, bi-polar disorder)
- Long-term medical conditions (such as HIV, cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes)
- Sensory impairments (such as blindness, hearing loss or deafness)
- Mobility or physical impairments (such as paralysis, arthritis).
We offer a number of services to students once registered. We can also provide advice on the application process and implementing any reasonable adjustments required at applicant stage for any interviews or workshops.
Services to students include:
- Advice and information on support and Reasonable Adjustments
- Information on additional funding which disabled students may be eligible to apply for such as the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) (UK students only). More information and to check eligibility can be found on the Government's Disabled Students Allowance webpage.
- Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability - more information on the Government's Disabled Students Allowance webpage
- Access to external professional support (i.e. counselling)
Students are encouraged to apply for the DSA as soon as they have received an acceptance of a place at NFTS, as it can take over 10 weeks from applying to receiving the support so early application ensure that support can be in place at the start of term
Tailored Reasonable Adjustment Plans (RAP)
Liaising with Heads of Departments, Tutors and coordinators to implement any reasonable adjustments required.
To enable us to ensure that appropriate reasonable adjustments are considered to support you during your studies at NFTS we would suggest that you contact Student Support and Wellbeing Team as soon as possible via email at swellbeing@nfts.co.uk or alternatively call us on 01494 731 382 to arrange an appointment to discuss any support you may require to ensure that the support is in place before you start the course.
NFTS Disabled Talent Bursary
We are committed to supporting UK disabled talent and being a catalyst for meaningful change to issues faced by disabled talent within the UK screen and games industries. As part of our commitment to making the creative industries more accessible to disabled talent, we are providing dedicated funding to help to support UK students with disabilities to access our world-class training.
Five bursaries will be available for UK students applying to study on full time MFA and MA courses from September 2025, providing up to £5,000 per annum each. Additional bursary support is also available for UK students applying to study part time Diploma and Certificate courses from September 2025 of up to £1,000 each. UK Students studying courses supported by NFTS scholarship and bursaries will also be eligible to apply for further funding from the School to help with tuition fee costs.
The funding aims to assist UK students who face significant additional costs because of the nature of their disability.
The bursary could be used to help with costs such as:
- Accessible accommodation
- Carers accommodation
- Additional heating and electricity costs
- Travel expenses
- Specialist and mobility equipment
Eligibility
- Candidates must have been permanently resident in the UK for the last three years and hold a British passport in order to be eligible.
- A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, or AD(H)D)
- A visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (e.g. blindness or partial sight)
- A hearing impairment (e.g. D/deafness or partial hearing)
- A physical impairment or challenges with mobility (e.g. climbing stairs or uneven surfaces), or dexterity (e.g. using a keyboard or laboratory equipment)
- A social, behavioural or communication impairment (e.g. an autistic spectrum condition or Tourette’s Syndrome)
- A long-term illness or health condition which may involve pain or cause fatigue, loss of concentration or breathing difficulties – including any effects from taking associated medication.
- We cannot accept applications from individuals who only experience a mental health condition, challenge or disorder (e.g. anxiety or depression).
- We will require medical confirmation of your disability. This may be a letter from your health care provider, doctor or consultant, confirming your stated disability.
How To Apply
On receiving an offer of a place on one of our courses, you will be given further information on how to apply, if you are eligible.
Applicants will need to provide medical evidence of their disability (from a GP, consultant or specialist practitioner) and provide information on how the funding will be used. Applications will be assessed by a panel comprised of NFTS representatives and the School’s Disability Advocate.
We can advise you on local health and wellbeing services, and can refer you to a range of expert professional services when needed.
If you are worried about your health or wellbeing, or that of a friend, we will always try to help.
Our advice is impartial and there to help you make your own decisions, and if we can’t help we’ll always look to refer you to people or organisations that can.
You are encouraged to register with a local NHS GP/Doctors surgery. You can find your nearest GP surgery to your term-time address by visiting the NHS website.
You can also report to us any incidents in which you are involved, either here at the School or anywhere else. We all share a responsibility to create and maintain a safe, inclusive and welcoming culture at the NFTS. Students and staff have the right to study, work and socialise in a safe community. The School commits to thoroughly investigating all reports of inappropriate behaviour and conduct, and will implement recommendations and actions in line with the Student Misconduct Policy and Staff Disciplinary Policy. If you’ve experienced or seen any behaviour that you find unacceptable, support is available to you at the School.
The NFTS recognises that incidents of sexual violence and misconduct may take place within the School community and can be experienced by any individuals, regardless of their identity.
The NFTS is committed to promoting a culture in which incidents of sexual violence or misconduct will not be tolerated. All members of the School community are expected to take an active role in ensuring that all interpersonal relationships and interactions are underpinned by mutual respect, open communication and clear consent.
Incidents of sexual violence and misconduct that are reported to the School will be addressed thoroughly to ensure the preservation of a safe work and study environment for all.
Students can report any incidents to Student Wellbeing or anonymously or with contact details through Support and Report. To make a report and for further information and sources of support please visit: NFTS Support and Report
Contact swellbeing@nfts.co.uk
For urgent support outside the office hours of 9am-4pm, please see below:
Crisis support and helplines
If you or someone you know is in mental health crisis and needs medical help fast:
- Ring 999 to contact emergency services
- Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department
Nearest A&E to Beaconsfield is Wexham Park Hospital.
Address is Wexham Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL2 4HL. Telephone 0300 6145000
To search for your nearest A&E visit the NHS website and enter your location.
If it is not a medical emergency, but you still need urgent help:
- Ring 111 for professional health advice 24/7 and 365 days a year and guidance on where to access appropriate health services
- Make an appointment with your GP
External Support
If your situation is not as urgent as above and you would like to speak to someone anonymously then you should consider contacting one of the following:
- The Samaritans Freephone 116 123 (Daily; 24 hours a day). Web: https://samaritans.org. Confidential emotional support to anyone who is suicidal or despairing
- Papyrus HOPEline UK (Suicide prevention charity) – 0800 068 4141. Text: 07786209697. Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org (service is available from 9am- midnight every day). If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for someone else, you can contact this helpline for confidential support and practical advice.
- Mind (Mental health charity) - Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (service is available from Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm). Provides information on types of mental health issues, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.
- Film + TV Charity helpline - 0800 054 0000 (24 hour support line).Can provide advice about legal queries, mental health and wellbeing, financial troubles, family issues, bullying and discrimination, or your hopes and ambition.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM - specialise in supporting men) - 0808 802 58 58 (London) or 0800 58 58 58 (Nationwide) (service is available from 5pm-midnight 365 days a year). A charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for someone else, you can contact this helpline for confidential support and practical advice.
- Sexual Assault Referral Unit: 0800 970 9952 or message via website https://www.solacesarc.org.uk. Nearest local agency is Solace SARC, Slough, Upton Hospital, Church Street, Slough, SL1 2BJ.
The National Film and Television School is committed to supporting the health (including mental health) and wellbeing of every member of the School community. As well as meeting the needs of children and adults at risk, we consider safeguarding in its broadest term as covering the general welfare of our community.
The School’s duty of care includes the responsibility to act if there is a cause for concern about the safety of children and adults at risk and to notify the appropriate agencies so that they can investigate and take any action required.
Most issues of concern can be supported by our student wellbeing team, and we have a wide range of support available to students. You can find out more about that here, on this page.
Issues that may fall directly under Safeguarding regulations, relating to children and/or adults at risk, should be reported via our Support and Report website or to Student Wellbeing - so that these can be followed up appropriately. The Registrar is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Officer.Swellbeing@nfts.co.uk
More information and guidance about safeguarding can be found in the School’s Safeguarding Policy.
The School has a number of general student welfare policies which can be found in the Policies section on our website including our Mental Health Policy, Bullying, Harassment, Racism and Sexual Misconduct Policy, and our Fitness to Study Policy.
You can also find out information about how to report any safeguarding concerns directly to Bucks County Council on their safeguarding website.
For additional information and advice on safeguarding please contact:
Designated Safeguarding Officer at Ewheal@nfts.co.uk
For all other general enquires please contact Info@nfts.co.uk
For urgent serious welfare issues please contact Security on Tel: 01494 731400
Via our links with local landlords and letting agencies, we can provide assistance finding accommodation in the local area(s) surrounding the School. We recommend looking in Beaconsfield and High Wycombe. Some students choose to live in London and commute in each day which is also an option, but you do need to take travel time and increased costs into consideration.
When applicants are offered a place on their chosen course, they are given access to a private accommodation page on Facebook which is a platform to view accommodation listings, advertise accommodation and make contact with other students at the NFTS.
We recommend thoroughly researching your accommodation. Please refer to the pdf documents below to help guide you through this process:
The amounts provided in the table are only a guide to students in planning their expenditure throughout their studies. They should not be used as a fixed or absolute statement of costs. If you are an international student and require a student VISA to study in the UK, you will also have to comply with the minimum funds required in order to issue your CAS (Confirmation of Assignment) as set out in your CAS email.
Monthly Expenses | Amount |
|---|---|
Rent Household bills Groceries Socialising Transport Mobile phone Health & wellbeing Gifts & charity Other expenses Total | £600 - £900 £115 £200 £60 £48 - 240 £30 £40 £30 £40 £1,163 - £1,655 |
*For those living in High Wycombe, you would expect the rent to be slightly lower compared to Beaconsfield and London. Students living in London would expect the rental and transport costs to be higher.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT
Requirements and information on applying for a student visa as an international student is available on our Students from abroad webpage.
We also provide support for our American students on MFA courses who wish to apply for the US Federal Loan. You can find out more about the process of this loan on our American Students page. Loan amounts are set out annually rather than monthly.
We are on-hand to provide you with advice and recommend avenues of research for funding. The NFTS runs frequent financial surgeries for students to speak confidentially to our Student Wellbeing and Finance team. They can also offer advice on budgeting and money management. More information on this is provided once you are an enrolled NFTS student.
Please also refer to our student funding page for more information on funding, scholarships and student loans.
Alongside the Student Union, the student support team promote health and wellbeing activities. In the past these have included wellbeing week, yoga, mindfulness, craft workshops, organised local walks and a large range of sporting activities. Details of activities are made available to enrolled students via our WorkVivo platform and notice boards around site.
An alternative space for students to voice their views, concerns and ideas. The Students’ Union comprises of three Students’ Union reps and a Students’ Union President. The Students’ Union is advisory but on hand to provide support and help guide you through your time at the NFTS. They are also there for implementing and planning student groups, activities and social events throughout the year.
If you’re a care leaver and applying to study, or already studying at NFTS, you’ll find plenty of support here to help you get the most out of your time. We understand the challenges you face, and we’ll support you from before your application right through to graduation, to help you make the most of your potential.
There’s lots of support you can call on:
- An NFTS Bursary to cover the annual tuition fee
- An additional Bursary to help cover living costs
- Help with your Bursary application
- Expenses paid for interview days, and/or open days
- Priority for other financial support
- E-Mentors
- Special activities and events designed for care leavers
- A single point of contact both pre-entry and during your time at NFTS
Help when you apply
The Registry team can help you through your application. We can give you advice on everything from filling in an application form through to interviews and preparing portfolios, including how to write your personal statement.
Help with Accommodation
We can assist you with finding suitable accommodation either close to the School or in London.
Care leaver bursary
If you’re a care leaver, we will offer you the total cost of your tuition fees each year to support you during your studies. We understand that you face additional challenges and we will do our best to support you at every stage of your studies.
In addition to the bursary we will offer you an additional amount to cover your living costs. Currently that bursary is £5,000.
To apply for this bursary, you can either disclose your status on your application or contact our Student Support Wellbeing Adviser (Krissie Smith) at swellbeing@nfts.co.uk
Mentoring
We offer one-to-one mentoring support if you’re a care leaver. You can ask for a mentor and we’ll assign a staff member to be a mentor for the time you’re here. They’ll give you support, advice and advocacy and be your first point of contact for any questions you have.
Support services
We offer lots of services and support to all our students, contact us to find out more. You can contact Student Support and Wellbeing via email at swellbeing@nfts.co.uk or via telephone on 01494 731 385